Visited on 7/15/2017. I love quiet places and this one almost topped it for me, had it not been for the occasional passing of cars (most of the sites are next to the only road). This of course is amplified by how quiet the place is, so it is really not too bad. I also tremendously enjoyed the murmuring of Big Run in the night. The distance between the sites is as far as you can get, and there were not many campers. So if you don’t like solitude, this could feel too much. Go with a friend. The place is beautiful, but the views from many campsites are limited by the forest and mountain slopes. This includes the beautiful Savage River Lake, of which you see little from the road. Take everything with you, including water. There’s nothing there but beautiful, big campsites. Long distances between sites and pay stations. Maps could be improved. A compass might be needed. There’s also no on-site cell phone reception for AT&T, but was able to get signal on higher grounds. Took the one-mile hike to the tower and loved it. For the first time I saw this white bee balm. I am familiar with the red bee balm which is also abundant in the forest. Many butterflies as well. Kudos for the MD forest authorities for keeping this place wild.

I camped in this place for two seasons (2015 and 2016). I was really excited about it at first. It was secluded and on the primitive side, which I guess keeps it for the right crowd. But you do hear generators sometimes in the distance, and the spot appears to often be under a sky highway of low-flying planes. Two incidents turned me off: the mosquitoes and the stink bugs. If mosquitoes love you, go in spring and fall, but not summer. Also avoid stink bugs late fall because they come out IN DROVES! They will enter in every thing they find, including your hair and shirt and tent and bags, and between the car window cracks. They will winter in your car and fly into your face while driving next spring as they come out!!! These insects came over from Asia and they are now taking over large parts of the country. They don't bite, and the "stink" in the name is mild, but they are annoying enough to destroy every minute of your time, and land onto your eyes, tea, and mouth. They do so because they are trying to find a place to spend the winter. Also the water pump takes a lot of pumping to get you water, so take your water with you. On the bright side, I loved the mostly quiet setting and the breeze, and the lulling Hawk Creek when it is running strong. I was also able to have a strong signal with AT&T.

I am giving this place 4 stars because of the previous reviews and because I want to be more than fair. Without these considerations I would have given it 3 stars, maybe 2.5. Most of the sites are close to each other and don’t have privacy. Tent-pitching areas and fire pits are not well maintained. A high-voltage power line passes over some tent sites. I came for quite but people near me were loud. Men’s bathroom has two toilet seats but there’s nothing separating them!

Then there’s the $25 per night price tag for a tent site! Definitely way overpriced.

I camped in this place for two seasons (2015 and 2016). I was really excited about it at first. It was secluded and on the primitive side, which I guess keeps it for the right crowd. But you do hear generators sometimes in the distance, and the spot appears to often be under a sky highway of low-flying planes. Two incidents turned me off: the mosquitoes and the stink bugs. If mosquitoes love you, go in spring and fall, but not summer. Also avoid stink bugs late fall because they come out IN DROVES! They will enter in every thing they find, including your hair and shirt and tent and bags, and between the car window cracks. They will winter in your car and fly into your face while driving next spring as they come out!!! These insects came over from Asia and they are now taking over large parts of the country. They don't bite, and the "stink" in the name is mild, but they are annoying enough to destroy every minute of your time, and land onto your eyes, tea, and mouth. They do so because they are trying to find a place to spend the winter. Also the water pump takes a lot of pumping to get you water, so take your water with you. On the bright side, I loved the mostly quiet setting and the breeze, and the lulling Hawk Creek when it is running strong. I was also able to have a strong signal with AT&T.